Here are this week's most popular AI news highlights:
1. **CES 2024: An Influx of AI in Consumer Gadgets**
With ChatGPT becoming a household name, it's no surprise that over 4,000 vendors at CES 2024 are enthusiastically adopting AI technologies. Expect to see this innovation woven into everyday items, from tractors and boats to washing machines and robots. The intriguing fact is that AI has been present in consumer gadgets for years, showcased through virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri or smart devices such as the Nest thermostat. However, generative AI, particularly after OpenAI introduced a chat interface on its GPT large language model (LLM), is what has captivated recent public interest. This evolving technology can even produce lifelike images and immersive user experiences. The integration of AI in devices is increasingly straightforward, thanks to APIs from leading organizations like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. A few lines of Python code are often sufficient to create effective AI “wrappers” for various applications.
2. **Advancements in Training Trillion-Parameter AI Models with Fewer Resources**
Traditionally, training a language model the size of OpenAI’s ChatGPT would necessitate a powerful supercomputer. However, researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have unveiled innovative approaches to train colossal AI models with significantly less hardware. In a groundbreaking study, teams utilized the world’s foremost supercomputer, the Frontier system, to successfully train a one trillion parameter model using just 3,072 out of 37,888 AMD GPUs. This accomplishment demonstrates that a model comparable in size to ChatGPT was trained using only 8% of Frontier's computing capabilities, heralding a new era in AI training efficiency.
3. **AI Startup Roundup: Perplexity Gains Notable Support**
Conversational AI platform Perplexity is making waves by combining generative AI with enhanced search capabilities, aiming to compete directly with established chatbots like ChatGPT. By allowing users to input prompts and receive informative answers along with citations from credible sources, Perplexity strives to streamline the search process. Since its launch in 2023, the platform has attracted 10 million monthly active users and achieved 500,000 mobile app downloads across iOS and Android. Recently, Perplexity introduced Copilot, an AI research assistant designed to personalize search queries with tailored follow-up questions. The startup successfully raised $73.6 million in Series B funding, including investment from Bezos Expeditions, the family foundation of Jeff Bezos.
4. **Insights from Stanford's Leading AI Experts at CES 2024**
The panel discussion titled "Great Minds, Bold Visions: What’s Next for AI?" at CES 2024 highlighted a range of insights into the future of artificial intelligence, referencing the cyclical nature of AI's popularity over the decades. Andrew Ng, founder of Google Brain and an adjunct professor at Stanford University, shared an optimistic perspective, asserting that we are not entering another AI winter. Ng emphasized that the business fundamentals supporting AI are more robust than ever, especially following the recent surge in generative AI. He noted that AI is already influencing billions, possibly trillions, of dollars in revenue through applications like targeted advertising. According to Ng, the plethora of potential use cases around the globe guarantees ongoing growth in the AI sector.
5. **Siemens and Sony Collaborate on Mixed Reality for Industrial Innovation**
At CES 2024, Siemens and Sony showcased the NX Immersive Designer, a mixed-reality headset designed to enhance industrial development through innovative design solutions. This advanced device features OLED microdisplays and intuitive controllers, allowing designers and engineers to create and interact with 3D objects in mixed-reality environments. By merging Siemens' Xcelerator portfolio of industry-specific software with Sony's spatial content creation technology, the headset opens new avenues for content development in various industrial applications. The device is set for release later in 2024, poised to make a significant impact on the future of industrial design.
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